'Barbarella' to be revamped as TV series?

The character originated in a series of French comic books by Jean-Claude Forest and rose in popularity following a 1968 film version which starred Jane Fonda in the title role.

Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn has now teamed with Gaumont International Television and producer Martha De Laurentiis to adapt Barbarella for TV.

Refn called Barbarella "one of the ultimate counter-cultural characters", while GIT exec Katie O'Connell added: "We are thrilled to have secured the rights... and are thrilled to be pairing the bold visceral style of Nicolas Refn with the pop culture icon Barbarella."

In the original stories, Barbarella is a young woman who travels throughout space and has various adventures, often of a sexual nature. Refn will executive produce the new series alongside De Laurentiis, whose husband Dino produced the 1968 movie.

In 2009, a new film version of Barbarella was mooted, with Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox and Jessica Alba all being linked to the part.

Gaumont International Television is also producing a television adaptation of another famous film character - Hannibal will chart the early life of cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and is expected to air on NBC in 2013.